Method of Treating an Apparatus to Remove Surface Deposits

ABSTRACT

A method of treating an apparatus to remove surface deposits therefrom is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on surfaces of an apparatus that is subject to surface deposits from contact with fluids. The surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion. The composition is allowed to act upon the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus to loosen and breakup the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus. The loosened and broken materials are removed from the surfaces of the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/391,390, filed Aug. 2, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/741,225, filed Jan. 13, 2020, nowU.S. Pat. No. 11,077,474, issued Aug. 3, 2021, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to methods of cleaning apparatuses and equipmentusing particular treatment compositions.

BACKGROUND

Pipelines are used throughout the world to efficiently and economicallytransport large quantities of fluids over great distances. Some of thesepipelines may be hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles in length,particularly those used to transport crude and refined petroleum oil,natural gas, chemicals, etc. Over time, the interior surfaces of thepipeline can become coated with deposits that can restrict andeventually block flow. These deposits may include corrosion byproducts,scale, mineral deposits, sand, silica, hydrocarbons, paraffins,asphaltenes, metal oxides, iron oxides, solids, biofilm, and water.

Pipelines used for these fluids are typically formed from metals, suchas carbon steel. While the exterior of the pipelines are typicallypainted or covered with a protective coating to prevent corrosion, theinterior of the pipelines are typically unprotected or bare metal sothat they are subject to corrosion. Cathodic corrosion protection, wherea small electrical current is applied to the pipeline so that it becomescathodic, can offer some protection against internal pipe corrosion, butthis does not prevent all corrosion.

Additionally, the deposits that form on the interior surfaces of thepipeline can form corrosion cells in which under-deposit corrosion canoccur. Such corrosion cells require the presence of water in thepipeline, which forms the electrolyte in the corrosion cell. This wateris typically present in the pipeline as entrained water within thetransported fluids. Fluids that are conveyed through pipelines typicallycontain some water. Even dry natural gas has some amount of water (e.g.,4-7 lbs water/MMSCF of gas) that allows the formation of corrosioncells. The water can penetrate these surface deposits becoming entrappedunder the deposit to form the corrosion cell and facilitate theunder-deposit corrosion.

There are various sources of these corrosion causing materials. This caninclude carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) that may bepresent in the transported fluids. Carbon dioxide hydrates in thepresence of water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). The acid in turnsreacts with the iron or steel to form corrosion. The hydrogen sulfidealso reacts with the iron or steel material of the pipeline to form ironsulfides, thus corroding and degrading the pipe. These materials canpenetrate the surface deposits to form the corrosion cells.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) from microbes or bacteriathat may be present in the fluids is also a source of corrosion. Thesemicrobes or bacteria may attach to the internal surfaces of the pipelineor under the surface deposits and grow as a colony to form a biofilm onthe surfaces of the pipe. These microbes are often present in fluidsproduced from subterranean formations, such as oil and gas wells. Themicrobes are typically chemoautotrophs, which obtain energy by theoxidation of electron donors from their surroundings. One type of suchmicrobes are sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). SRBs utilize sulfate ions(SO₄ ²⁻) that are reduced to H₂S. Water within the pipeline willinteract with the metal surfaces to create a layer of molecularhydrogen. The SRBs through anaerobic respiration will then utilize thesulfate ions so that the hydrogen layer on the walls of the pipeline isoxidized to H₂S, which in turns reacts with iron to form iron sulfides.Another type of MIC that leads to corrosion in pipelines is thatproduced by acid producing bacteria (APB). ABPs undergo anaerobicfermentation instead of anaerobic respiration, producing acids as partof their growth cycle. These produced acids lead to the acid corrosionof the metal materials of the pipeline.

To remove these deposits, coatings, and other detrimental materials, amaintenance program is carried out. This essentially involves passing aprojectile, commonly referred to as a “pig,” down the interior of thepipeline so that the deposits are physically scraped off the sides ofthe pipeline as the pig is moved through the pipeline. This process,referred to as “pigging” is sometimes done in conjunction with achemical treatment. Pigging treatments are usually conducted “on-line”without interfering with the transporting of fluids. While suchtreatments have been used with limited success, improvements are needed.

Additionally, various processing and storage devices and equipment thatare used to treat, store, conduct, contain, or process various fluids ina variety of industries are also subject to the buildup of varioussurface deposits. The surfaces of these devices and equipment may needto be cleaned periodically to remove the deposits. The present inventionhas application to treating these different devices and equipment tofacilitate removing such deposits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of particular embodiments of theinvention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to thefollowing descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a pipeline and pipeline segment having a piglauncher and receiver for passing a pig through the pipe to facilitatecleaning of the pipeline;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a pipeline segment showing a single pig andpill of the treatment composition being passed through the pipelinesegment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a pipeline segment showing a dual pig and pillof the treatment composition being passed through the pipeline segment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of various pipeline segments showing injectionpoints for the injecting treatment either as a batch amount orcontinuously over time in accordance with particular embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of a pipeline wall showing spray nozzlesrecessed within the wall of the pipeline for introducing atomizedtreatment composition into the interior of the pipeline; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a hypothetical processing system that employsvarious exemplary apparatuses for processing, treating or storingvarious fluids that may form surface deposits on the apparatuses thatmay be treated with a treatment composition in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention involves a method of cleaning a pipeline wherein aparticular treatment composition is used in combination with one or morepigging operations. Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic of an exemplarypipeline 10 having a pipeline segment 12 is shown to illustrate thetreatment method. The pipeline 10 may be any pipeline used forgathering, conveying and transporting fluids where the interior of thepipeline may require routine or periodic cleaning and maintenance. Thismay include pipelines used for gathering and/or transportinghydrocarbons, such as crude and refined petroleum oil, natural gas,natural gas liquids (NGS), chemicals, bio-oils, biofuels, etc. Thepipeline may also be used to transport water or other aqueous fluids incertain instances. The pipeline 10 and/or pipeline segment 12 may be ofvarying lengths, from several feet to many miles.

The pipe and components of the pipeline are typically formed of metalmaterials. These may include iron, aluminum, copper, metal alloys, andthe like. In most applications, the pipelines or portions thereof areformed from iron or steel, such as carbon steel, mild or low carbonsteel, cast iron, stainless steel, etc. In some instances, non-metalmaterials may also be used for the pipelines or portions thereof. Thesemay include materials such as clay, plastic or polymeric materials, PVC,polypropylene, fiberglass, etc. For pipelines used for transportingnatural gas and petroleum products, the pipelines are typicallyconstructed from carbon steel.

The pipe of the pipeline or pipeline segment may be of various widths ordiameters, from a fraction of an inch or a few inches to several feet(e.g., from ¼ in to 5 ft or more.) in diameter. For pipelines used fortransmission of fluids over great distances, such as natural gas andpetroleum products, the pipelines are typically quite large in diameter(e.g., 24 to 42 inches).

The pipeline 10 may be divided into a number of different pipelinesections or segments 12 along its length. The pipeline segments 12facilitate maintenance, operation and inspection of portions of thepipeline 10. The pipe segment 12 may have a uniform diameter along itslength. Each segment 12, which may itself be several hundred feet tomany miles in length, may be provided with a pig launcher assembly 14 atone end and a pig receiver assembly 16 at an opposite end. The launcherand receiver assemblies 14, 16 shown and described herein are exemplaryof those commonly used in pipelines. Variations of these assemblies mayalso be used.

The pig launcher assembly 14 is located at an upstream end of the pipesegment 12 relative to the direction of fluid flow within the pipeline.Similarly, the pig receiver assembly 16 is located on a downstream endof the pipe segment 12. The launcher assembly 14 has an enlarged ormajor barrel or pipe portion 18 with opening at the end of the barrel 18for accessing the interior of the barrel 18. An access door or closure20 is provided for selectively accessing and closing off the end openingof the barrel 18. This also allows for the introduction of a pig or body22 as well as other items or materials into the barrel 18.

The pig or body 22 may have a variety of configurations andconstructions depending on its purpose. These can include mandrel pigs,foam pigs, solid cast pigs, etc. In the treatment methods disclosedherein, at least one pig or body is sized and configured to apply,spread or coat a treatment composition on the interior surfaces of thepipeline. Such pigs or bodies may have a reduced diameter or diameterportion to facilitate spreading of the treatment composition so that itis spread generally around the entire circumference of the pipe interiorand so that the treatment composition stays in place upon the pipelinewalls, without being scraped or otherwise readily removed by the pig orbody. The size of the spreader pig or body may be of a selected diameteror size so that in combination with the amount of treatment compositionintroduced into the pipeline, the treatment composition may be appliedat a selected thickness along the length of the pipe segment 12.

In certain embodiments, a single pig or body 22 may be used to bothapply the treatment composition as well as remove deposits or materialsfrom the surfaces of the pipeline simultaneously. In such instances, thepig or body 22 may have downstream features or portions configured tofacilitate applying the treatment composition and upstream features orportions configured for removing deposits or materials from the surfacesof the pipeline.

In other embodiments of the treatment, at least one pig or body 22 is acleaner or scraper pig that is used for removing deposits or materialsfrom the surfaces of the pipeline after a first pig is used to apply thetreatment composition. In some applications, scraper pigs or bodies 22of different sizes or diameters may be used that are successivelyintroduced into the pipeline, from smaller to larger, so that depositsare removed progressively as the size of the pig increases.

One or more final drying pigs may also be used in certain embodiments tofacilitate drying the pipeline after the cleaning or scraping operationis carried out.

The launcher assembly 14 further includes a reducer portion 24 thattapers to a smaller minor barrel portion 26 upstream from a pig trapvalve 28, which is coupled to a mainline 30 of the line segment 12. Thetrap valve 28 is used to selectively open and close off communicationbetween the launcher assembly 14 and the mainline 30 of the pipelinesegment 12 and allows the passage of the pig 22 from the minor barrelportion 26 to the mainline 30, which may be of the same or similardiameters.

A kicker line 32 fluidly couples the major barrel portion 18 to a bypassinlet line 34. The bypass inlet line 34 is used to introduce fluid flowfrom the upstream pipeline 10 into the mainline 30 of the pipelinesegment 12. The kicker line 32 diverts fluid flow from the bypass line34 to the barrel 18. The kicker line 32 may couple to the barrel 18 asfar upstream as possible to facilitate launching of the pig or body 22.A trap bypass valve 36 of the kicker line 32 is used to control fluidflow from bypass line 34. A bypass valve 38 is also provided forselectively controlling fluid flow through bypass line 34 to mainline30.

A balance line 40 is shown fluidly coupled to the kicker line 32 and theminor barrel portion 26 near the trap valve 28. The balance line 40 isused to balance the pressure on both sides of the pig 22 when it islocated within the major barrel portion 18 to minimize or preventmovement of the pig 22 within the launcher assembly 14. A control valve42 allows the balance line 40 to be selectively opened or closed.

Other valves and lines (not shown), such as for venting, purging,injecting, draining fluids, etc., may also be coupled to the launcherassembly 14 and its components to facilitate various functioning of thelauncher assembly 14. For example, with both the trap valve 28 and trapbypass valve 38 closed, the barrel 18 may be vented to atmosphericpressure to allow the door 20 to be opened and allowing the pig 22 to beintroduced and positioned within the launcher 14.

With the door 20 closed and the pig 22 located within the launcher 14,the trap bypass valve 36 and pig trap valve 28 can be opened and thebypass valve 38 and balance valve 42 can be closed. This causes fluidflow through the bypass line 34 to be directed through the kicker line32 to the major barrel portion 18. The pig 22 is thereby forced out ofthe launch assembly 14 so that it is directed downstream down themainline 30 of pipeline segment 12.

When the pig 22 passes the trap valve 28, the bypass valve 38 can beopened and the trap bypass valve 36 and pig trap valve 28 can be closed.Fluid flow from bypass line 34 through mainline 30 will continue toforce the pig 22 downstream down the length of the line segment 12 tothe receiver pig assembly 16.

The receiver assembly 16 is configured similarly to the launcherassembly 16. Like the launcher assembly 16, the receiver assemblyincludes a major barrel portion 44 and access door or closure 46 forselectively closing the end opening of the barrel portion 44. A taperedreducer portion 48 fluidly couples the major barrel portion 44 to areduced diameter minor barrel portion 50 upstream from the major barrelportion 44. The minor barrel portion 50 is located downstream from a pigtrap valve 52, which is coupled to the downstream end of the mainlineportion 30 of the line segment 12. The trap valve 52 is used toselectively open and close off communication between the receiverassembly 16 and the mainline portion 30 of the pipeline segment 12 andallows the passage of the pig 22 from the mainline portion 30 to theminor barrel portion 50, which may be of the same or similar diameters.

A return line 54 fluidly couples the major barrel 44 to the bypassoutlet line 56. The bypass outlet line 56 directs fluids downstream tothe remainder of the pipeline 10. The return line 54 returns fluid flowfrom the barrel 44 to the bypass outlet line 56. The return line 54typically couples to the barrel 44 at position near the reducer 48. Atrap bypass valve 58 of the return line 54 is used to selectively returnfluid flow from barrel 44 through the return line 54 to the bypassoutlet line 56. A bypass valve 60 is also provided for controlling fluidflow through bypass line 34 from mainline 30.

A balance line 62 is shown fluidly coupled to the return line 54 and theminor barrel portion 50 near the trap valve 52. The balance line 62 isused to balance the pressure on both sides of the pig 22 when it islocated within the major barrel portion 44 to minimize or preventmovement of the pig 22 within the receiver assembly 14. A control valve64 allows the balance line 62 to be selectively opened or closed.

Other valves and lines (not shown), such as for venting, purging,injecting, draining fluids, etc., may also be coupled to the receiverassembly 16 to facilitate various functioning of the receiver assembly16.

By opening trap valve 52 and trap bypass valve 58, the pig 22 can bereceived within the receiver assembly 16. The bypass valve 60 can beclosed or partially closed to facilitate directing the pig 22 into thebarrel portion 44. When the pig 22 is received within the major barrelportion 44 of the receiver assembly 16, the bypass valve 60 can be fullyopened and the trap valve 52 and trap bypass valve 58 closed. Thereceiver assembly 16 can then be vented to atmospheric pressure anddrained so that the access door 46 can be opened and the pig 22, alongwith any collected material or debris, can removed from the receiverassembly 16.

In this manner, treatments can be carried out without interrupting fluidflow through the pipeline. The pigs are passed through the pipelineutilizing the normal pipeline fluid flow and pressure. This is importanton major pipelines where disruption in fluid flow (e.g., natural gas)can have significant negative consequences, such as natural gas usedfuel to power plants, etc.

FIG. 2. illustrates the movement of a spreader pig 66 down through theinterior of pipeline segment 68 to be cleaned, which may the same orsimilar to the pipeline segment 12 of FIG. 1, previously described. Thespreader pig 66 may be launched and received through launching andreceiving assemblies, which may be the same or similar to thoseassemblies 14, 16 of FIG. 1 previously described. As shown in FIG. 2, aquantity of cleaning or treatment composition 70, which is described inmore detail later on, in the form of a mass or “pill” is introduced intothe pipeline segment 68 ahead of the pig 66. The pig 66 facilitatesspreading composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipelinesegment 68 along all or a portion of the length of the segment 68.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment wherein two pigs 72, 74 are used inpipeline segment 76. Here, pig 72 constitutes a lead pig and pig 74constitutes a trailing pig. In this embodiment, a mass or pill 78 oftreatment composition is introduced between the pigs 72, 74. The pigs72, 74 facilitate spreading the treatment composition upon surfaces ofthe interior of the pipeline segment 68 along all or a portion of thelength of the segment 76.

The amount of treatment composition used may be selected to provide adesired thickness applied to the walls of a pipeline segment along allor a portion of the length of the pipeline segment. This may bedetermined by the formula of Equation 1 below:

V=π·[(R ²−(R−T)²]·L  (1)

where Vis the total volume of treatment composition used, R is theinternal radius of the pipe being treated, T is the desired thickness ofthe treatment composition to be applied to the walls of the pipe, and Lis the length of the pipe being treated.

The treatment composition used for cleaning pipelines in accordance withthe invention incorporates a colloidal particle dispersion havinginorganic nanoparticles. In many cases the inorganic nanoparticles aresilica nanoparticles, although other non-silica inorganic nanoparticlescan be used alone or with silica nanoparticles. Colloidal silicadispersions using silica nanoparticles have been around for some time.They are typically formed from silica particles that are dispersed in aliquid phase. The liquid phase may be an aqueous or non-aqueous liquidor a combination of such liquids. The nanoparticles are stabilizedelectrostatically in the liquid so that they tend to stay suspendedwithin the liquid. Non-limiting examples of various colloidal particledispersions are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,544,726 and7,553,888 and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. US2016/0017204; US2018/0291255;US2018/0291261; US2019/0078015; US2019/0078015; US2019/0136123;US2019/0225871, each of which is incorporated herein by reference forall purposes, including the colloidal particle dispersions andcompositions disclosed therein and the methods of making the same. Suchcolloidal particle dispersions are commercially available. Examples ofsuitable commercially available colloidal particle dispersions include,but are not limited to, those available from Nissan Chemical AmericaCorporation as nanoActive®, nanoActive® HRT, nanoActive® EFT, andnanoActive® HNP solutions.

The inorganic nanoparticles of the colloidal particle dispersion willtypically have particle size to facilitate formation of the colloidalparticle dispersion so that the suspension remains stable. In manyinstances the inorganic nanoparticles will have an average particle sizeof from 500 nm or less. More often they will have an average particlesize of from 300 nm or less, and still more particularly from 200 nm orless. In some embodiments, the inorganic nanoparticles will have anaverage particle size of from 0.1 nm to 500 nm, more particularly from0.1 nm, 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, 4 nm, or 5 nm to 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm,200 nm, or 300 nm. In certain applications the inorganic nanoparticlesmay have an average particle size of from at least, equal to, and/orbetween any two of 0.1 nm, 0.2 nm, 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm, 0.5 nm, 0.6 nm, 0.7nm, 0.8 nm, 0.9 nm, 1 nm, 2 nm, 3 nm, 4 nm, 5 nm, 6 nm, 7 nm, 8 nm, 9nm, 10 nm, 11 nm, 12 nm, 13 nm, 14 nm, 15 nm, 16 nm, 17 nm, 18 nm, 19nm, 20 nm, 21 nm, 22 nm, 23 nm, 24 nm, 25 nm, 26 nm, 27 nm, 28 nm, 29nm, 30 nm, 31 nm, 32 nm, 33 nm, 34 nm, 35 nm, 36 nm, 37 nm, 38 nm, 39nm, 40 nm, 41 nm, 42 nm, 43 nm, 44 nm, 45 nm, 46 nm, 47 nm, 48 nm, 49nm, 50 nm, 51 nm, 52 nm, 53 nm, 54 nm, 55 nm, 56 nm, 57 nm, 58 nm, 59nm, 60 nm, 61 nm, 62 nm, 63 nm, 64 nm, 65 nm, 66 nm, 67 nm, 68 nm, 69nm, 70 nm, 71 nm, 72 nm, 73 nm, 74 nm, 75 nm, 76 nm, 77 nm, 78 nm, 79nm, 80 nm, 81 nm, 82 nm, 83 nm, 84 nm, 85 nm, 86 nm, 87 nm, 88 nm, 89nm, 90 nm, 91 nm, 92 nm, 93 nm, 94 nm, 95 nm, 96 nm, 97 nm, 98 nm, 99nm, 100 nm, 110 nm, 120 nm, 130 nm, 140 nm, 150 nm, 160 nm, 170 nm, 180nm, 190 nm, 200 nm, 210 nm, 220 nm, 230 nm, 240 nm, 250 nm, 260 nm, 270nm, 280 nm, 290 nm, 300 nm, 310 nm, 320 nm, 330 nm, 340 nm, 350 nm, 360nm, 370 nm, 380 nm, 390 nm, 400 nm, 410 nm, 420 nm, 430 nm, 440 nm, 450nm, 460 nm, 470 nm, 480 nm, 490 nm, and 500 nm.

It should be noted in the description, if a numerical value,concentration or range is presented, each numerical value should be readonce as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly somodified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwiseindicated in context. Also, in the description, it should be understoodthat an amount range listed or described as being useful, suitable, orthe like, is intended that any and every value within the range,including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. Forexample, “a range of from 1 to 10” is to be read as indicating each andevery possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10.Thus, even if specific points within the range, or even no point withinthe range, are explicitly identified or referred to, it is to beunderstood that the inventor appreciates and understands that any andall points within the range are to be considered to have been specified,and that inventor possesses the entire range and all points within therange, including smaller ranges within the larger ranges.

The inorganic nanoparticles, which are typically silica nanoparticles,may be surface functionalized with hydrophilic monomers and/or a mixtureof hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. Such surface treatment can makethe nanoparticles more stable in high saline or other disruptiveconditions. Such surface treatment may be achieved with the use ofsilane compounds. Organosilanes are particularly useful for such surfacemodification. The colloidal inorganic nanoparticles can be surfacemodified by the reaction of colloidal silica surfaces with at least onemoiety selected from the group consisting of a monomeric hydrophilicorganosilane, a mixture of monomeric hydrophilic and monomerichydrophobic organosilanes, or a polysiloxane oligomer.

Suitable monomeric hydrophilic organosilanes include, but are notlimited to, glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, glycidoxypropyl tributoxysilane, glycidoxypropyltrichlorosilane, phenyl trimethoxysilane, phenyl trimethoxysilane,phenyl trichlorosilane, and combinations of these.

Suitable monomeric hydrophobic organosilanes include, but are notlimited to, trimethoxy [2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyl]silane,triethoxy[2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyl]silane,trichloro[2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyl]silane,methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane,methacryloxypropyl trichlorosilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane,vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltrichlorosilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane,isobutyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltrichlorosilane, hexamethyldisiloxane,hexamethyldisilazane. and combinations of these.

Suitable polysiloxane oligomers may include, but are not limited to,glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane,isobutyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane,trimethoxy[2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, andhexamethyldisiloxane, and combinations of these.

In some instances, the inorganic nanoparticles may be encapsulated in asurfactant. Such encapsulation and surfactants are described, forinstance, in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US2016/0017204.

In the treatment composition, the amount of nanoparticles in thetreatment composition may range from 60 wt %, 50 wt %, 40 wt %, 30 wt %or less by total weight of the treatment composition. In certaininstances, the amount of particles will range from 0.001 wt %, 0.01 wt%%, 0.1 wt %, 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, and 5 wt % to 10 wt %, 15wt % to 30 wt %, 35 wt %, 40 wt %, 45 wt %, 50 wt %, and 60 wt % bytotal weight of the colloidal particle dispersion. In certainapplications the inorganic nanoparticles may make up from at least,equal to, and/or between any two of 0.001 wt %, 0.002 wt %, 0.003 wt %,0.004 wt %, 0.005 wt %, 0.006 wt %, 0.007 wt %, 0.008 wt %, 0.009 wt %,0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt%, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %, 1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %,2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %, 2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %,2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %, 2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %, 3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %,3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %, 3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %, 3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %,4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %, 4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %, 4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %,4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %, 5.0 wt %, 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %, 6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %,8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %, 9.0 wt %, 9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt%, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt%, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt%, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt%, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt%, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, 50 wt %, 51 wt %, 52 wt %, 53 wt%, 54 wt %, 55 wt %, 56 wt %, 57 wt %, 58 wt %, 59 wt %, and 60 wt % bytotal weight of the colloidal particle dispersion.

The treatment composition further includes a solvent. This may be thesolvent that the inorganic nanoparticles, which may besurface-functionalized nanoparticles, of the colloidal dispersion areinitially dispersed in. The solvent may comprise water or aqueousliquids and/or non-aqueous liquids. In some embodiments, the solvent isan aqueous solvent that includes a mixture of water and alcohols. Thealcohol solvent may be a C₁ to C₆ alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol,isopropyl alcohol, etc. The proportion of water to alcohol may rangefrom 100:1 to 1:100 by weight. Organic solvents may also be used aloneor in combination with water. Organic solvents may include alcohols,methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobuyl ketone, toluene, xylene,cyclohexane, dimethyl acetamide, ethyl acetate, etc. Combinations ofvarious solvents, aqueous and non-aqueous, may be used.

The solvents may be present in the treatment composition in an amount offrom 50 wt % or less by total weight of the treatment composition. Inparticular embodiments, the solvent is present in the treatmentcomposition in an amount of from at least, equal to, and/or between anytwo of 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt%, 1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %, 1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %,2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %, 2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %,2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %, 3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %, 3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %,3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %, 3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %, 4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %,4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %, 4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %, 4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %,5.0 wt %, 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %, 6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %, 8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %,9.0 wt %, 9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt%, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt%, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt%, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt%, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt%, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, and 50 wt % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition.

The treatment composition may also include a surfactant component. Thesurfactant may include an amphoteric surfactant, an ionic surfactant, ananionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or acombination of these. In particular embodiments, the surfactant isprimarily an anionic surfactant with or without the use of a minorportion of non-ionic surfactants. Examples of suitable surfactantsinclude, but are not limited to, ethoxylated nonyl phenol, sodiumstearate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, alkylolefin sulfonates, laurylamine hydrochloride, trimethyldodecylammoniumchloride, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene oxide alcohol,ethoxylated castor oil, propoxylated castor oil,ethoxylated-propoxylated castor oil, ethoxylated soybean oil,propoxylated soybean oil, ethoxylated-propoxylated soybean oil, ethyleneoxide-propylene oxide copolymers, sodium trideceth sulfate, ethoxylatedtetramethyl decyne alcohol, alkylphenolethoxylate, Polysorbate 80,ethoxylated or propoxylated polydimethylsiloxane, dodecyl betaine,lauramidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine,cocamidopyropyl-2-hydroxypropyl sulfobetaine, alkyl aryl sulfonates,protein-surfactant complexes, fluorosurfactants, polyethyleneoxide alkylether phosphates, and combinations of these. In certain embodiments, thesurfactant may be an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer, such asthat available from AksoNobel as ETHYLAN 1206. An alkyl olefin sulfanatemay also be used as the surfactant, such as that commercially availablefrom Pilot Chemical as Calsoft® AOS-40. A suitable commerciallyavailable amphoteric surfactant is that available from Solvay as Mackam®CBS-50G.

The surfactants may be present in the treatment composition in an amountof from 0.01 wt % to 50 wt % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition, more particularly from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %, and still moreparticularly from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt %. In certain embodiments, thesurfactants may be present in the treatment composition in an amount ofat least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %,0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %,0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %,1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %, 1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %,2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %, 2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %,2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %, 3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %, 3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %,3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %, 3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %, 4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %,4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %, 4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %, 4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %,5.0 wt %, 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %, 6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %, 8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %,9.0 wt %, 9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt%, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt%, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt%, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt%, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt%, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, and 50 wt % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition.

The treatment composition further include glycols. The glycols may actas solvent as well as act as a drying agent. Examples of such materialsinclude, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,triethylene glycol, ethylene glycol mono n-propyl ether, propyleneglycol methyl ether acetate, etc., and combinations of these. In manyapplications, the glycols will be ethylene glycol and triethyleneglycol.

The glycols may be present in the treatment composition in an amount offrom 50 wt % or less by total weight of the treatment composition. Inparticular embodiments, the glycols may be present in the treatmentcomposition of from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt %. In certain embodiments, theglycols may be present in the treatment composition in an amount of atleast, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %,0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %,1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %,1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %, 2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %,2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %, 2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %, 2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %,3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %, 3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %, 3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %,3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %, 4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %, 4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %,4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %, 4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %, 5.0 wt %, 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %,6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %, 8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %, 9.0 wt %, 9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, and 50 wt %by total weight of the treatment composition.

The treatment composition may also include a terpene and/or a terpenoid.Terpenes are organic compounds that are typically derivedbiosynthetically from units of isoprene, which has the molecular formulaC₅H₈. The basic molecular formula of terpenes are multiples of this(i.e., (C₅H₈)_(n) where n is the number of linked isoprene units). Theisoprene units may be linked together “head to tail” to form linearchains or they may be arranged to form rings. Terpenoids are liketerpenes but typically contain additional functional groups, such asoxygen or OH groups. One common example of a terpene compound islimonene. Limonene is a cyclic terpene. The d-isomer version of limoneneis d-limonene, which is commonly available. Less common is the l-isomer,i.e., l-limonene. These and other terpene and terpenoid compounds arecommercially available.

The terpene and/or terpenoid compounds may be present in the treatmentcomposition in an amount of from 50 wt % or less by total weight of thetreatment composition. In particular embodiments, the terpene and/orterpenoid compounds may be present in the treatment composition in anamount of from 0 wt % to 50 wt %. In certain embodiments, the terpeneand/or terpenoid compounds may be present in the treatment compositionin an amount of at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.1 wt %,0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %,0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %, 1.5 wt %,1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %, 1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %, 2.2 wt %,2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %, 2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %, 2.9 wt %,3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %, 3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %, 3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %, 3.6 wt %,3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %, 3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %, 4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %, 4.3 wt %,4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %, 4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %, 4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %, 5.0 wt %,5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %, 6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %, 8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %, 9.0 wt %,9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %,17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %,25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %,33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %,41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %,49 wt %, and 50 wt % by total weight of the treatment composition.

In certain embodiments, the treatment composition includes a non-terpeneoil. An example of a suitable non-terpene oil is methyl soyate. Methylsoyate is a methyl ether derived from soybeans and methanol. Thenon-terpene oil may be present in the treatment composition in an amountof from 50 wt % or less by total weight of the treatment composition.the non-terpene oil may be present in the treatment composition in anamount of from 0 wt % to 50 wt %. In certain embodiments, thenon-terpene oil may be present in the treatment composition in an amountof at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt%, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %, 1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %,1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %, 2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %,2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %, 2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %, 2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %,3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %, 3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %, 3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %,3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %, 4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %, 4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %,4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %, 4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %, 5.0 wt %, 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %,6.5 wt %, 7.5 wt %, 8.0 wt %, 8.5 wt %, 9.0 wt %, 9.5 wt %, 10 wt %, 11wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %, 14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %, 22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %, 30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %, 38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %, 46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, and 50 wt %by total weight of the treatment composition.

The treatment composition may further include a bio- orbacteria-reducing agent and/or biocide. A “biocide” is a technicaldefinition that is defined by the EPA. In some instances, a bio-reducingor bacteria-reducing agent that does not meet the EPA definition of abiocide may be used. The difference may be the result of theconcentrations and/or materials used. One non-limiting example of asuitable bacteria-reducing agent is glutaraldehyde. The bio- orbacteria-reducing agent and/or biocide may be used in an amount of from0.01 wt % to 5 wt % by total weight of the treatment composition. Inparticular applications, the amount of bio- or bacteria-reducing agentand/or biocide may be at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.01wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %,0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %,0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 1.1 wt %, 1.2 wt %,1.3 wt %, 1.4 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 1.6 wt %, 1.7 wt %, 1.8 wt %, 1.9 wt %,2.0 wt %, 2.1 wt %, 2.2 wt %, 2.3 wt %, 2.4 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.6 wt %,2.7 wt %, 2.8 wt %, 2.9 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 3.1 wt %, 3.2 wt %, 3.3 wt %,3.4 wt %, 3.5 wt %, 3.6 wt %, 3.7 wt %, 3.8 wt %, 3.9 wt %, 4.0 wt %,4.1 wt %, 4.2 wt %, 4.3 wt %, 4.4 wt %, 4.5 wt %, 4.6 wt %, 4.7 wt %,4.8 wt %, 4.9 wt %, and 5.0 wt % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition.

A pH adjusting agent may also be used in the treatment composition.These may be acidic or alkali materials used to lower or raise the pH ofthe treatment composition to a selected level. The pH of the treatmentcomposition may vary (e.g., a pH from 6 to 8) depending upon thecomposition makeup, the treatment to be performed and the purpose orfluids transported through the pipeline. In certain applications, the pHof the treatment composition will range from 6 to 7.

In certain embodiments the treatment composition may be free of orcontain less than 0.1 wt %, 0.01 wt %, or 0.001 wt % of any one or moreof an iron chelator, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride (THPC),tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS), methanol, and/orethanol. In the case of methanol, this may be avoided in those cleaningtreatments used to clean pipelines for natural gas as it may mask theodors of mercaptans, which are used as odorants in natural gas tofacilitate gas-leak detection.

In carrying out the treatment method for cleaning a pipeline, thetreatment composition as has been described is introduced into aninterior of a pipeline to be cleaned. Referring to FIG. 1, this willtypically be at the upstream end of the pipeline segment 12, at orwithin the barrel portions 18, 20 of the pig launcher 14. The treatmentcomposition may be introduced into the launcher through a port and valveformed for such purpose, or may be introduced into the opening of thebarrel portion 18. The treatment composition may also be injected at oneor more positions spaced apart along the length of the pipeline segment12. Injection ports (not shown) may be provided along the length of thepipeline segment 12 for this purpose.

The pig 22, which represents a spreader pig for applying the treatmentcomposition to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline, isintroduced into the launcher 14 and/or pipeline segment 12, with thetreatment composition located downstream of the pig 22. The spreader pig22 can then be launched down the pipeline segment 12 so that it spreadsthe treatment composition along the walls of the interior of themainline pipe 30 of pipeline segment 12.

In particular embodiments, the volume amount of treatment compositionused may be that selected to provide a particular thickness according toEquation 1. The thickness of the treatment composition may vary. In manyapplications the thickness of the treatment composition applied to thewalls of the treated pipe may range from 0.1 mil or 10 mils or more. Inparticular embodiments, the treatment composition is applied to thewalls of the treated pipe at a thickness at least, equal to, and/orbetween any two of 0.1 mil, 0.2 mil, 0.3 mil, 0.4 mil, 0.5 mil, 0.6 mil,0.7 mil, 0.8 mil, 0.9 mil, 1.0 mil, 1.1 mils, 1.2 mils, 1.3 mils, 1.4mils, 1.5 mils, 1.6 mils, 1.7 mils, 1.8 mils, 1.9 mils, 2.0 mils, 2.1mils, 2.2 mils, 2.3 mils, 2.4 mils, 2.5 mils, 2.6 mils, 2.7 mils, 2.8mils, 2.9 mils, 3.0 mils, 3.1 mils, 3.2 mils, 3.3 mils, 3.4 mils, 3.5mils, 3.6 mils, 3.7 mils, 3.8 mils, 3.9 mils, 4.0 mils, 4.1 mils, 4.2mils, 4.3 mils, 4.4 mils, 4.5 mils, 4.6 mils, 4.7 mils, 4.8 mils, 4.9mils, 5.0 mils, 5.1 mils, 5.2 mils, 5.3 mils, 5.4 mils, 5.5 mils, 5.6mils, 5.7 mils, 5.8 mils, 5.9 mils, 6.0 mils, 6.1 mils, 6.2 mils, 6.3mils, 6.4 mils, 6.5 mils, 6.6 mils, 6.7 mils, 6.8 mils, 6.9 mils, 7.0mils, 7.1 mils, 7.2 mils, 7.3 mils, 7.4 mils, 7.5 mils, 7.6 mils, 7.7mils, 7.8 mils, 7.9 mils, 8.0 mils, 8.1 mils, 8.2 mils, 8.3 mils, 8.4mils, 8.5 mils, 8.6 mils, 8.7 mils, 8.8 mils, 8.9 mils, 9.0 mils, 9.1mils, 9.2 mils, 9.3 mils, 9.4 mils, 9.5 mils, 9.6 mils, 9.7 mils, 9.8mils, 9.9 mils, and 10 mils.

As shown in FIG. 2, the treatment composition may be applied as a pill70 before a single spreader pig 66. Alternatively, the treatmentcomposition may be applied as a pill 78 between leading and trailingpigs 72, 74, as shown in FIG. 3. The passage of the pigs through thepipeline may result in both the application of treatment composition andremoval of previously deposited materials simultaneously in certaininstances.

In some embodiments, a single pig is used to both apply the treatmentcomposition as well as remove the composition and materials adhering tothe surfaces of the interior of the pipeline to facilitate cleaning ofthe pipeline. In such situations, the treatment composition may onlyreside on the surfaces of the pipeline for a brief duration of a fewseconds to even a fraction of a second depending upon the speed of thepig. This may sometimes be referred to as a “flush and brush”application, wherein the same pig is used to both apply or spread thetreatment composition while also simultaneously removing materials asthe pig body is passed through the pipeline.

In other embodiments, the treatment composition is applied to the wallsof the pipeline with one pig or body that does not facilitate theremoval of the applied treatment composition and those materialsadhering to the walls of the pipeline. In such instances, the appliedtreatment composition is allowed to reside upon the surfaces of theinterior of the pipeline for a period of time after it is appliedwithout further passing a second cleaning or scraper pig through thepipeline. This may sometimes be referred to as a “soak and brush”application. The residence time that the treatment composition isallowed to reside on the walls of the pipeline after its application mayrange from 10 minutes or more. The residence time may vary dependingupon the cleaning job to be performed. In many instances, the residencetime may range from 10 minutes to several days, more particularly from 1hr to 48 hrs, and still more particularly from 3 hrs to 24 hours. Inparticular embodiments, the treatment composition is allowed to resideon the walls of the pipeline from at least, equal to, and/or between anytwo of 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min, 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11 hrs, 12 hrs, 13 hrs,14 hrs, 15 hrs, 16 hrs, 17 hrs, 18 hrs, 19 hrs, 20 hrs, 21 hrs, 22 hrs,23 hrs, 24 hrs, 25 hrs, 26 hrs, 27 hrs, 28 hrs, 29 hrs, 30 hrs, 31 hrs,32 hrs, 33 hrs, 34 hrs, 35 hrs, 36 hrs, 37 hrs, 38 hrs, 39 hrs, 40 hrs,41 hrs, 42 hrs, 43 hrs, 44 hrs, 45 hrs, 46 hrs, 47 hrs, and 48 hrs.

The treatment composition incorporating the inorganic nanoparticlesprovides a cleaning fluid that works to penetrate deposits on theinterior surface of the pipeline by a Brownian-motion, diffusion-drivenmechanism known as disjoining pressure. Moreover, depending upon thetreatment composition makeup, the nanoparticles themselves may becharged. For example, the colloidal particle dispersion may be ananionic or a cationic colloidal silica dispersion. This may result inthe nanoparticles being attracted to the material of the pipeline, suchas pipelines that are provided with cathodic corrosion protection. Thisattraction, as well as the Brownian-motion, causes the nanoparticlematerials to penetrate the deposits on the walls of the pipe tofacilitate loosening and breaking up of the deposits that are formed onthe interior surfaces of the pipeline.

After the selected residence time is reached, a cleaning or scraper pigmay be passed through the pipeline to remove the treatment compositionand those materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of thepipeline. One or more cleaning or scraper pigs may be used for thispurpose.

In certain instances, the process is repeated wherein the same or adifferent treatment composition is applied to the interior surfaces ofthe pipeline, followed by scraping or cleaning with the same or adifferent pig. For example, in a single pipeline segment, the treatmentcomposition application/scraping cycle may be performed from 1 to 20times or more. Different size pigs may be used for subsequenttreatment/cleaning cycles. The amount of treatment composition appliedduring each cycle may be the same or vary from cycle to cycle.

One of the advantages of the treatment composition and method is that itdries water or moisture from the pipeline. While there can be some waterused in the treatment composition, this water is not free water thatwill elevate the moisture content within the pipeline. This is becausethe water complexes with the other components (e.g., glycols) of thetreatment composition. The drying agents further aid to absorb existingliquid water and vapor in the pipeline so that the treatment facilitatesdrying of the pipeline. As a result, in certain instances, a drying pigmay not be necessary after the treatment has been carried out. In otherapplications, a drying pig may be passed through the pipeline to removeany residual water moisture or liquids.

In some applications, a corrosion inhibitor may be applied to theinterior surfaces of the pipeline after the treatment composition andmaterials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline areremoved. Those corrosion inhibitors and application methods that arewell known in the art may be used.

The treatment composition can also be used in treating and maintainingpipelines apart from those pigging operations, previously described. Insuch treatment operations, the treatment composition is introduced intothe pipeline without the use of a pig or body that is passed through thepipeline to apply or spread the treatment composition to the interiorsurfaces of the pipeline. Instead, the introduced treatment compositionis carried by the fluids flowing through the pipeline, such as highvelocity gases (e.g., natural gas), that carry the treatment fluid alongthe length of the pipeline segment being treated. In such instances, thetreatment composition may tend to adhere to the interior surfaces of thepipeline as a thin layer or film even without the use of a pig or bodyto spread the treatment composition. This may be due, at least in part,because of the colloidal silica dispersion being ionically charged incertain applications. When the pipeline is provided with cathodiccorrosion protection, this attracts the ionically charged colloidalsilica dispersion of the treatment composition. The treatmentcomposition can be tailored with a colloidal silica dispersion havingappropriately charged nanoparticles that are attracted to the pipelinewalls based upon the type of cathodic corrosion protection used for thepipeline.

FIG. 4 shows a pipeline 80, such as those previously described, that canbe treated in either a batch or bulk treatment operation and/or acontinuous operation. The pipeline 80 to be treated may be divided alongits length into different pipeline segments 82, 84, 86 of selectedlengths. Each segment 82, 84, 86 is provided with at least one treatmentcomposition injection point 88 at or near the upstream end of eachsegment where the treatment composition can be introduced into theinterior of the pipeline 80. Such injection points can be any device orapparatus provided on the pipeline for introducing materials into theinterior of the pipeline from the exterior of the pipeline. This mayinclude, but is not limited to, an olet-type fitting (e.g., weldolet,etc.) provided on the pipeline wall. Such injection points are typicallylocated at surface locations so that they can be readily accessed.

The injection point 88 where the treatment composition is injected foreach pipeline segment may be spaced from the next adjacent injectionpoint (upstream or downstream) a distance of from 1 inch to 100 miles ormore. In particular embodiments, the injection points 88 may be spacedfrom the next adjacent injection point a distance of from 50 yards or100 yards to 100 miles, more particularly from 1 mile to 50 miles, andstill more particularly from 5 miles to 20 miles. In particularembodiments, the injection point 88 may be used for treating a length ofpipeline or be spaced apart along the length of the pipeline beingtreated a length or distance of from at least, equal to, and/or betweenany two of 1 inch, 1 foot, 1 yard, 50 yards, 100 yards, 1 mile, 2 miles,3 miles, 4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles, 7 miles, 8 miles, 9 miles, 10 miles,11 miles, 12 miles, 13 miles, 14 miles, 15 miles, 16 miles, 17 miles, 18miles, 19 miles, 20 miles, 21 miles, 22 miles, 23 miles, 24 miles, 25miles, 26 miles, 27 miles, 28 miles, 29 miles, 30 miles, 31 miles, 32miles, 33 miles, 34 miles, 35 miles, 36 miles, 37 miles, 38 miles, 39miles, 40 miles, 41 miles, 42 miles, 43 miles, 44 miles, 45 miles, 46miles, 47 miles, 48 miles 49, 50 miles, 60 miles, 70 miles, 80 miles, 90miles, and 100 miles.

At each injection point 88, a supply of the treatment composition isprovided. This may be treatment composition stored in a storage vessel90, which may be a stationary storage tank that is located nearby theinjection point. The storage vessel 90 may also be a temporary or mobilestorage tank mounted on a truck or other vehicle, such as on a truck bedor trailer, which can be transported to the injection point duringtreatment operations and removed thereafter. In certain embodiments, aseparate storage tank 90 may be provided for each injection point.

One or more pumps 92, which may be high pressure pumps, are used todeliver the treatment composition to the injection point 88 throughlines or hoses 94, 96. These may be stationary pumps that arepermanently associated with and located nearby each stationary storagetank 90 or may be provided on or with the truck or vehicle in thosecases where the storage tank is a mobile storage tank. The pumps 92 maybe those pumps powered by electricity, solar, wind, gasoline, diesel,natural gas, etc.

One or more valves 98 are provided to control the flow of treatmentcomposition from the storage tank 90 to the injection point 88. Thevalve or valves 98 may ball valves or other suitable valves, which mayinclude one or more metering valves to control the rate of flow of thetreatment composition to the injection point. A control unit (not shown)to control the operation and actuation of the pump 92 and/or valves 98may be programed or be locally or remotely operated to provide thedesired flow of treatment composition to the injection point.

Referring to FIG. 5, in introducing the treatment composition at theinjection point 88, one or more injection nozzles 100 may be provided ateach injection point 88. The nozzles 100 may be configured to provide anatomized spray or a selected spray configuration within the interior ofthe pipeline. This may be an atomized spray in some applications. Inother embodiments, the treatment composition may be injected at theinjection point 88 without any spray nozzle or nozzles.

In cases were nozzles 100 are used, these may be recessed from theinterior surfaces of the pipeline. As shown in FIG. 5, a recessed area102 is provided in the pipeline wall 104 so that the tip or end of thenozzle 100 does not project past or is just flush with the interiorsurface 106 of the pipeline wall 104. This prevents the nozzles 100 frominterfering with any pigs or bodies that are passed through the interiorof the pipeline, such as during cleaning operations, as has beenpreviously described.

In one treatment method, the treatment composition is introduced in abatch operation wherein a bulk amount of the treatment composition in aselected volume is introduced all at one time into the interior of thepipeline at each of the injection points 88. If there are long periodsbetween batch treatments, it may not be practical to have a dedicatedstationary storage tank for supplying the treatment composition to theinjection points. In the bulk or batch treatments, the storage vessels90 may therefore be provided on mobile storage vessels that are mountedon trucks or trailers or other vehicles that can be transported to theinjection point locations located along the pipeline.

In the bulk or batch treatment, the desired volume of treatmentcomposition is rapidly injected through the injection points. The lines,pumps, valves, etc., may be configured for the rapid introduction of thetreatment composition into the pipeline, including high pressure pumpsand lines (e.g., 1-inch high-pressure hoses). In some operations, thetreatment composition may be introduced sequentially in different batchoperations at each of the spaced apart injection points 88. This may besequentially upstream or downstream. In other instances, the batchtreatments at each injection point 99 may be carried out simultaneouslyor within short time from one another along the length of the pipelinebeing treated.

When the treatment composition is introduced in bulk or in a batchoperation, the bulk volume of treatment composition may be introducedinto the pipeline as a pill or bolus, with all of the treatment fluidfor treating the pipeline segment being delivered within the pipeline inshort period of time. This may range from 1 min to 24 hrs, moreparticularly from 15 min to 12 hrs, and still more particularly from 30min to 8 hrs. In certain embodiments, the pill or bolus of fluid in thebulk or batch operation may be introduced in at least, equal to, and/orbetween any two of 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min,1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4 hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11hrs, 12 hrs, 13 hrs, 14 hrs, 15 hrs, 16 hrs, 17 hrs, 18 hrs, 19 hrs, 20hrs, 21 hrs, 22 hrs, 23 hrs, and 24 hrs. Such bulk or batch treatmentsmay be repeated or carried out periodically, such as once a day, onceevery few days (e.g., from 2 to 7 days), once a week, once every fewweeks, once a month, once every few months (e.g., from 2 to 12 months),once a year, once every two years or longer, etc.

The amount of treatment composition introduced into each injection pointfor a given segment of pipeline during the batch or bulk treatmentoperation may be introduced in a selected bulk treatment volume V_(t)according to Equation 2 below:

V _(t)=π·[(R ²−(R−T)²]·L  (2)

where R is the internal radius of the pipe being treated, T is from 0.1mil to 10 mils, and L is the length of the pipeline segment beingtreated.

This volume V_(t) generally corresponds to or is equivalent to thevolume of treatment composition that would theoretically be applied tothe walls of the treated pipe segment in a uniform layer along thelength of the pipe segment. In certain embodiments, the value of T inEquation 2 may range from 0.1 mil to 10 mils or more. In particularapplications, the value T may be at least, equal to, and/or between anytwo of 0.1 mil, 0.2 mil, 0.3 mil, 0.4 mil, 0.5 mil, 0.6 mil, 0.7 mil,0.8 mil, 0.9 mil, 1.0 mil, 1.1 mils, 1.2 mils, 1.3 mils, 1.4 mils, 1.5mils, 1.6 mils, 1.7 mils, 1.8 mils, 1.9 mils, 2.0 mils, 2.1 mils, 2.2mils, 2.3 mils, 2.4 mils, 2.5 mils, 2.6 mils, 2.7 mils, 2.8 mils, 2.9mils, 3.0 mils, 3.1 mils, 3.2 mils, 3.3 mils, 3.4 mils, 3.5 mils, 3.6mils, 3.7 mils, 3.8 mils, 3.9 mils, 4.0 mils, 4.1 mils, 4.2 mils, 4.3mils, 4.4 mils, 4.5 mils, 4.6 mils, 4.7 mils, 4.8 mils, 4.9 mils, 5.0mils, 5.1 mils, 5.2 mils, 5.3 mils, 5.4 mils, 5.5 mils, 5.6 mils, 5.7mils, 5.8 mils, 5.9 mils, 6.0 mils, 6.1 mils, 6.2 mils, 6.3 mils, 6.4mils, 6.5 mils, 6.6 mils, 6.7 mils, 6.8 mils, 6.9 mils, 7.0 mils, 7.1mils, 7.2 mils, 7.3 mils, 7.4 mils, 7.5 mils, 7.6 mils, 7.7 mils, 7.8mils, 7.9 mils, 8.0 mils, 8.1 mils, 8.2 mils, 8.3 mils, 8.4 mils, 8.5mils, 8.6 mils, 8.7 mils, 8.8 mils, 8.9 mils, 9.0 mils, 9.1 mils, 9.2mils, 9.3 mils, 9.4 mils, 9.5 mils, 9.6 mils, 9.7 mils, 9.8 mils, 9.9mils, and 10 mils.

The treatment composition itself for the batch or bulk pipelinetreatment operation may be the same or similar to those treatmentcompositions used in conjunction with pigging operations, previouslydescribed. Such treatment composition is that containing the colloidalparticle dispersion, which may be ionic dispersions, having inorganicnanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less,along with any additives, which have been described previously inconjunction with the pigging operations.

The introduced treatment composition incorporating the inorganicnanoparticles helps to penetrate deposits on the interior surface of thepipeline by Brownian-motion, diffusion-driven mechanism. The colloidalsilica dispersion may be ionic to facilitate adherence to the pipelinewalls and penetration of deposits. When such charged nanoparticles ofthe ionic dispersion are used in pipelines that are provided withcathodic corrosion protection, they are attracted to the walls of thepipeline. This, as well as the Brownian-motion, causes the nanoparticlematerials to penetrate the deposits on the walls of the pipe tofacilitate loosening and breaking up of the deposits that are formed onthe interior surfaces of the pipeline.

At the end of the bulk or batch treatment and prior to repeating afurther bulk treatment, one or more pigging operations may be performed,with or without the introduction of additional treatment composition.This may be done to remove the treatment composition and those materialswithin and adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. Oneof the advantages of using the batch or bulk treatment operation is thatwhen a cleaning operation employing a pig is later performed after abatch treatment, less treatment composition may need to be used duringthe pigging operation. Thus, for example, without the batch treatmentoperation, when a pig cleaning operation is performed, the treatmentcomposition may be applied at a thickness of 5 mils. When the batchtreatment is utilized prior to any subsequent pig cleaning operation,the treatment composition may be applied at a thickness of only 1 milduring the subsequent pig cleaning to provide the same results or toremove the same amount of materials from the pipeline.

In other applications, the treatment composition can also be used intreating and maintaining pipelines by continuously introducing thetreatment composition at a selected rate into the interior of theinterior of the pipeline. In such operations, the treatment compositionis introduced into the pipeline without the use of a pig or body that ispassed through the pipeline to apply the treatment composition to theinterior surfaces of the pipeline.

In such continuous treatment operation, the same or a similarconfiguration of the pipeline 80 shown in FIG. 4, as previouslydescribed for the batch operation, may be used. In the continuousoperation, the storage tanks or vessels 90 may be stationary vesselssince the treatment fluid is introduced continuously over time. Thespacing of the injection points may also be the same. The pumps 92and/or valves 98, which may be metering valves, are used to introducethe treatment composition at a given rate.

As used herein, the term “continuous” or similar designations withrespect to the continuous treatment operation is meant to encompass thecontinuous, uninterrupted fluid flow where the fluid flows continuouslywithout interruption or stopped. The continuous, uninterrupted fluidflow may be at a constant or a variable flow rate. The term “continuous”or similar designations in reference to continuous treatment operation,unless expressly stated otherwise, is also meant to encompass the fluidflow that may be temporarily interrupted or stopped for a period oftime, but that provides an overall fluid flow at a selected rate overtime. Thus, for example, the pump 92 may be operated and/or valve 98 maybe actuated to periodically introduce a slug or flow of fluid of aselected volume every 5 minutes, with 12 slugs of fluid being introducedevery hour. This will provide a desired amount or volume of treatmentfluid being delivered and introduced into the interior of the pipelineevery hour so that, while not technically continuous, uninterruptedflow, the treatment fluid is still provided at the desired rate of flowover one hour so that it is essentially continuous.

In the continuous treatment operation, the treatment composition may beintroduced at each of the injection points 88 simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously or within a short time from one another, sothat the entire pipeline is generally treated at the same time. In otherembodiments, the continuous treatment operation may be carried out ateach injection point sequentially upstream or downstream.

When continuously introducing the treatment composition, the treatmentfluid may be introduced at a selected flow rate Q according to Equation3 below.

Q=1.389E−3·π·[(R ²−(R−T)²]·L/hr  (3)

where R is the internal radius of the pipe being treated, T is from 0.05mil to 10 mils, and L is the length of the pipeline segment beingtreated.

In certain embodiments, the value of T in Equation 3 may range from 0.05mil to 10 mils or more. The value of T is the thickness that wouldtheoretically be applied to the walls of the treated pipe segment in auniform layer along the length of the pipe segment if it was introducedand applied all at one time. In particular applications, the value T maybe at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.05 mils, 0.06 mils,0.07 mils, 0.08 mils, 0.09 mils, 0.1 mil, 0.2 mil, 0.3 mil, 0.4 mil, 0.5mil, 0.6 mil, 0.7 mil, 0.8 mil, 0.9 mil, 1.0 mil, 1.1 mils, 1.2 mils,1.3 mils, 1.4 mils, 1.5 mils, 1.6 mils, 1.7 mils, 1.8 mils, 1.9 mils,2.0 mils, 2.1 mils, 2.2 mils, 2.3 mils, 2.4 mils, 2.5 mils, 2.6 mils,2.7 mils, 2.8 mils, 2.9 mils, 3.0 mils, 3.1 mils, 3.2 mils, 3.3 mils,3.4 mils, 3.5 mils, 3.6 mils, 3.7 mils, 3.8 mils, 3.9 mils, 4.0 mils,4.1 mils, 4.2 mils, 4.3 mils, 4.4 mils, 4.5 mils, 4.6 mils, 4.7 mils,4.8 mils, 4.9 mils, 5.0 mils, 5.1 mils, 5.2 mils, 5.3 mils, 5.4 mils,5.5 mils, 5.6 mils, 5.7 mils, 5.8 mils, 5.9 mils, 6.0 mils, 6.1 mils,6.2 mils, 6.3 mils, 6.4 mils, 6.5 mils, 6.6 mils, 6.7 mils, 6.8 mils,6.9 mils, 7.0 mils, 7.1 mils, 7.2 mils, 7.3 mils, 7.4 mils, 7.5 mils,7.6 mils, 7.7 mils, 7.8 mils, 7.9 mils, 8.0 mils, 8.1 mils, 8.2 mils,8.3 mils, 8.4 mils, 8.5 mils, 8.6 mils, 8.7 mils, 8.8 mils, 8.9 mils,9.0 mils, 9.1 mils, 9.2 mils, 9.3 mils, 9.4 mils, 9.5 mils, 9.6 mils,9.7 mils, 9.8 mils, 9.9 mils, and 10 mils.

During the continuous treatment operation, the treatment composition iscontinuously introduced at the selected rate Q over a period of from 1hr to 1000 hrs or more, more particularly from 24 hours to 700 hours. Inparticular embodiments, the treatment composition is continuouslyintroduced over a period of at least, equal to, and/or between any twoof 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4 hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs,11 hrs, 12 hrs, 13 hrs, 14 hrs, 15 hrs, 16 hrs, 17 hrs, 18 hrs, 19 hrs,20 hrs, 21 hrs, 22 hrs, 23 hrs, 24 hrs, 24 hrs, 25 hrs, 26 hrs, 27 hrs,28 hrs, 29 hrs, 30 hrs, 31 hrs, 32 hrs, 33 hrs, 34 hrs, 35 hrs, 36 hrs,37 hrs, 38 hrs, 39 hrs, 40 hrs, 41 hrs, 42 hrs, 43 hrs, 44 hrs, 45 hrs,46 hrs, 47 hrs, 48 hrs, 49 hrs, 50 hrs, 51 hrs, 52 hrs, 53 hrs, 54 hrs,55 hrs, 56 hrs, 57 hrs, 58 hrs, 59 hrs, 60 hrs, 61 hrs, 62 hrs, 63 hrs,64 hrs, 65 hrs, 66 hrs, 67 hrs, 68 hrs, 69 hrs, 70 hrs, 71 hrs, 72 hrs,73 hrs, 74 hrs, 75 hrs, 76 hrs, 77 hrs, 78 hrs, 79 hrs, 80 hrs, 81 hrs,82 hrs, 83 hrs, 84 hrs, 85 hrs, 86 hrs, 87 hrs, 88 hrs, 89 hrs, 90 hrs,91 hrs, 92 hrs, 93 hrs, 94 hrs, 95 hrs, 96 hrs, 97 hrs, 98 hrs, 99 hrs,100 hrs, 110 hrs, 120 hrs, 130 hrs, 140 hrs, 150 hrs, 160 hrs, 170 hrs,180 hrs, 190 hrs, 200 hrs, 210 hrs, 230 hrs, 240 hrs, 250 hrs, 260 hrs,270 hrs, 280 hrs, 290 hrs, 300 hrs, 310 hrs, 320 hrs, 330 hrs, 340 hrs,350 hrs, 360 hrs, 370 hrs, 380 hrs, 390 hrs, 400 hrs, 410 hrs, 420 hrs,430 hrs, 440 hrs, 450 hrs, 460 hrs, 470 hrs, 480 hrs, 490 hrs, 500 hrs,510 hrs, 520 hrs, 530 hrs, 540 hrs, 550 hrs, 560 hrs, 570 hrs, 580 hrs,590 hrs, 600 hrs, 610 hrs, 620 hrs, 630 hrs, 640 hrs, 650 hrs, 660 hrs,670 hrs, 680 hrs, 690 hrs, 700 hrs, 710 hrs, 720 hrs, 730 hrs, 740 hrs,750 hrs, 760 hrs, 770 hrs, 780 hrs, 790 hrs, 800 hrs, 810 hrs, 820 hrs,830 hrs, 840 hrs, 850 hrs, 860 hrs, 870 hrs, 880 hrs, 890 hrs, 900 hrs,910 hrs, 920 hrs, 930 hrs, 940 hrs, 950 hrs, 960 hrs, 970 hrs, 980 hrs,990 hrs, and 1000 hrs.

The treatment composition used for the continuous treatment operationmay be the same as that used for the pigging and batch operations,previously described, which can be considered a concentrated treatmentcomposition. In most instances, however, the treatment composition usedfor the continuous treatment operation is diluted with water so that itis thinner or less viscous. Thus, for the treatment compositionspreviously described for use in conjunction with the pigging and batchtreatment operations, these may be diluted with water in an amount offrom 1 wt % to 99 wt % by weight of the concentrated treatmentcomposition, more particularly the water may be added in an amount from5 wt % to 90 wt % by weight of the concentrated treatment composition,and still more particularly the water may be added in an amount of from25 wt % to 50 wt % by weight of the concentrated treatment composition.In particular applications, the treatment composition for the continuoustreatment operation may be diluted with water in an amount of at least,equal to, and/or between any two of 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt %, 4 wt %, 5 wt%, 6 wt %, 7 wt %, 8 wt %, 9 wt %, 10 wt %, 11 wt %, 12 wt %, 13 wt %,14 wt %, 15 wt %, 16 wt %, 17 wt %, 18 wt %, 19 wt %, 20 wt %, 21 wt %,22 wt %, 23 wt %, 24 wt %, 25 wt %, 26 wt %, 27 wt %, 28 wt %, 29 wt %,30 wt %, 31 wt %, 32 wt %, 33 wt %, 34 wt %, 35 wt %, 36 wt %, 37 wt %,38 wt %, 39 wt %, 40 wt %, 41 wt %, 42 wt %, 43 wt %, 44 wt %, 45 wt %,46 wt %, 47 wt %, 48 wt %, 49 wt %, 50 wt %, 51 wt %, 52 wt %, 53 wt %,54 wt %, 55 wt %, 56 wt %, 57 wt %, 58 wt %, 59 wt %, 60 wt %, 61 wt %,62 wt %, 63 wt %, 64 wt %, 65 wt %, 66 wt %, 67 wt %, 68 wt %, 69 wt %,70 wt %, 71 wt %, 72 wt %, 73 wt %, 74 wt %, 75 wt %, 76 wt %, 77 wt %,78 wt %, 79 wt %, 80 wt %, 81 wt %, 82 wt %, 83 wt %, 84 wt %, 85 wt %,86 wt %, 87 wt %, 88 wt %, 89 wt %, 90 wt %, 91 wt %, 92 wt %, 93 wt %,94 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt %, 97 wt %, 98 wt %, and 99 wt % by weight ofthe concentrated treatment composition.

The less viscous treatment composition for the continuous treatmentallows the treatment composition to be introduced through pumps andconduits, including high pressure pumps and lines (e.g., ⅜- to ½-inchhigh-pressure hoses) into the pipeline as an atomized liquid, such asthrough the atomizer nozzles 100 of FIG. 5. The addition of water alsohelps in delaying the drying time of the treatment composition withinthe interior of the pipeline. This helps in high-pressure, dry-gaspipelines where the gas has a very low dew point and is moving at a veryhigh velocity. Without the additional water, the treatment compositioncan dry out before it reaches the end of the pipe segment being treated.The additional water also facilitates the wetting of the treatmentcomposition on the interior walls of the pipeline so that there issufficient moisture or liquid to allow the nanoparticles to act withinthe liquid layer to penetration of solid deposits on interior surfacesof a pipeline.

At the end of the continuous treatment operation, one or more piggingoperations may be performed, with or without the introduction ofadditional treatment composition. This removes the treatment compositionand those materials within and adhering to the surfaces of the interiorof the pipeline. Like the batch treatment, one of the advantages ofusing the continuous treatment operation is that when a cleaningoperation employing a pig is later performed after the continuoustreatment, less treatment composition may need to be used during thepigging operation. Thus, for example, without the continuous treatmentoperation, when a pig cleaning operation is performed, the treatmentcomposition may be applied at a thickness of 5 mils. When the continuoustreatment is utilized prior to any subsequent pig cleaning operation,the treatment composition may be applied at a thickness of only 1 milwith the pig to provide the same results or to remove the same amount ofmaterials from the pipeline.

One of the advantages of the continuous treatment operation, where thetreatment composition is introduced over long periods of time atselected rates, is that the volume of liquid introduced into thepipeline can be controlled so that the liquid treatment composition doesnot overwhelm separation equipment (not shown) that may be associatedwith the pipeline. Separation equipment is often provided on gaspipelines in conjunction with compressor units (not shown) providedalong the pipeline to pressurize the transported gas as it flows throughthe pipeline. The separation equipment separates the gases from anyliquids in the pipeline before the gas is introduced into thecompressor, where the liquids would otherwise damage the compressor. Byreducing the flow of liquids in the continuous treatment operation sothat they are introduced over time and not in a large bulk, the liquidsdo not exceed the capacity of the separation equipment and theseparation equipment is not overwhelmed and can sufficiently separatethe liquids of the treatment composition prior to delivering gas to thecompressor.

The batch and continuous treatments can be each be carried out multipletimes and in combination, wherein a batch treatment may be followed by acontinuous treatment or vice versa. Alternating treatments may also becarried out. Furthermore, each treatment operation or multiple treatmentoperations may be followed with one or more pig cleaning operations,with or without further the use of treatment composition. In such cases,where the use of treatment composition is used in the pig cleaningoperation, the same or a reduced amount of the treatment composition maybe used had no previous batch or continuous treatment operation beenperformed.

The treatment methods and compositions in both the batch and continuousoperations help in cleaning the pipeline, such as during subsequentpigging operations. Moreover, valves, filters, and other equipmentcommonly employed in pipelines often become fouled or clogged withparticulates and other debris. The treating methods and compositionshave shown the ability to reduce or eliminate this fouling and clogging.The treatments also aid in dehydrating or reducing the dew point in thepipeline. While there can be some water used in the treatmentcomposition, this water is not free water that will elevate the moisturecontent within the pipeline. This is because the water complexes withthe other components (e.g., glycols) of the treatment composition. Thedrying agent additives in the treatment composition further aid toabsorb existing liquid water and vapor in the pipeline so that thetreatment facilitates drying of the pipeline. The layer or film of thetreatment composition on the interior walls of the pipeline conditionsthem, protecting them and preventing bacteria colony formation.Corrosion inhibitors in the treatment composition also help to preventcorrosion in the pipeline. The treatment composition also has no or verylittle effect on mercaptans or odorants that may be contained in thegases conducted through the pipeline so that there is no odorant fade asa result of the treatments.

In addition to treating pipes and pipelines, the treatment compositionscan be used for treating various other apparatuses. As used herein, theterm “apparatus” and variations of this term is meant to refer to thoseobjects, equipment, devices, components, etc., that are fabricated,man-made and/or constructed for use from various materials. Unlessexpressly stated otherwise, the term “apparatus” is to be distinguishedfrom and exclude naturally occurring or terranean objects, such asearthen, soil or rock formations, including subterranean formations andfractures that may have been formed in such formations, such as thosefor the production and extraction of hydrocarbons in oil and gas wells.Such apparatuses may be formed from metal or non-metal materials or acombination of metal and non-metal materials. Non-limiting examples ofmetal materials may include iron, cast iron, steel, carbon steel, mildor low carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, metalalloys, etc. Non-limiting examples of non-metal materials may includeclay, glass, ceramics, concrete, brick, refractory materials, plastic orpolymeric materials, PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, fiberglass,composites, etc.

In particular, the apparatuses may be those that come into contact withfluids (liquid and/or gas) and that are subject to surface deposits fromcontact with such fluids. These are typically apparatuses that are usedfor storing, handling, treating, conducting or reacting the fluids,although they may be other apparatuses. The apparatuses may be mobile orstationary. Typically, these will be apparatuses used in surfaceapplications (i.e., above ground) and/or apparatuses that may be buriedonly a few feet (i.e., 100 feet or less) below ground. Non-limitingexamples of such apparatuses include various man-made bodies, man-madestructures, tanks, storage tanks, vessels, storage vessels, mixingvessels, containers, valves, pipes, fittings, aquatic vessels (e.g.,ships, boats, etc.), reactors, combustors, refrigeration units, coolingunits, heat exchangers, boilers, radiators, separators, evaporators,pumps, compressors, towers, columns, cooling towers, filters, filtrationunits, slug catchers, Joule Thomson (JT) systems, cracking units,pyrolysis units, refining units, coalescers, dehydrators, amine units,amine treatment systems, chemical processing systems, food processingsystems, gas processing systems, petroleum processing systems, biomatterprocessing systems, and water processing systems. The apparatusestreated may include the pipes, lines, valves, etc., such as those thatare typically employed and/or associated with such apparatuses. Theseare all apparatuses that have surfaces that are exposed to, subjected toor submerged or partially submerged in various fluids (liquids and/orgases) that come into contact with such surfaces that result in depositsbeing formed on the surfaces from such contact. In certain applications,the apparatuses may be non-pipeline apparatuses.

The various apparatuses and systems are typically large industrial orcommercial apparatuses or systems that may be used for storing,treating, conducting or otherwise processing large volumes of fluids.This may include hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds ofthousands, millions, tens of millions or more of gallons of liquidsand/or cubic feet of gas per hour, day, days, weeks, months, etc. Theapparatuses and systems that may be treated are not limited to suchlarge industrial or commercial apparatuses or systems, however.

Referring to FIG. 6, a hypothetical processing system 110 is shown forprocessing or treating various fluids comprising various non-limitingexemplary apparatuses that may be treated with the treatmentcompositions disclosed herein. The system 110 may be representative ofany processing system for the reacting, processing or treatment of oneor more different fluids. This may include, but is not limited to, anamine system, a chemical processing system, a food processing system, agas processing system, a petroleum processing system, a biomatterprocessing system, and a water processing system.

As shown, the system 110 may include a variety of different components,units, etc. The various components of the system 110 are exemplary onlyand the system 110 is not meant to be limited to only the components orthe particular configuration or arrangement of components shown. Thesystem 110 may be used with continuous process with continuous orperiodic fluid flow throughout all or portions of the system 110 or maybe used in batch processes of a combination of batch and continuousprocesses. The components of the system 110 may include one or morecolumns, towers, or reactors 112, 114. Pipes or lines, such as lines116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, may be used toconduct fluids (i.e., gases, liquids or mixtures thereof) to the variouscomponents and units of the system 110 in accordance with the selectedprocess or treatment of the system 110. The system 110 may include oneor more heat exchangers 138, 140, 142, such as heaters, coolers,boilers, refrigerators, radiators, etc. One or more valves 144, 146 maybe provided with the system 110 for regulating fluid flow through thevarious pipes and lines. Compressors 148, pumps 150, 152, and separators154, 156 may also be provided with the system 110. The system 110 mayalso include storage or holding devices 158, 160, such as storage tanksor vessels, containers, vessels, drums. Other components or units, suchas those previously disclosed, may also be part of the system 110 orother systems with which the treatment method may be used.

In utilizing the treatment compositions for the remove of surfacedeposits from various apparatuses, such as those of system 110, thesurfaces of the apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition byvarious means. The treatment composition is provided at the site of theapparatus(es) to be treated and cleaned. The treatment composition canbe provided in one or more stationary or mobile storage tanks that arein proximity to the apparatus(es) being treated. In other instances, thetreatment composition supply may be remote from the treatment site, withthe treatment composition being supplied via a pipeline or conduit tothe treatment site. It may be necessary to shut down, isolate orotherwise stop or interrupt the operation of the apparatus, system,etc., to carry out the treatment. In other cases, however, such as withthe pipelines discussed previously, the treatment may be carried outwithout interrupting the operation of the apparatus. The treatment maybe used for interior and/or exterior surfaces of the apparatus(es).

Contacting of the surfaces of the apparatuses with the treatmentcomposition can be carried out in a variety of ways. This can includespraying the composition on the surfaces of the apparatuses using asuitable spraying device or apparatus that is in fluid communication tothe one or more storage tanks in which the treatment composition isstored. The surfaces of the apparatuses may also be contacted by fillingthe apparatus(es) with the treatment composition. This may be a fullfilling of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is completely filledwith the composition, or a partial filling of the apparatus. Thetreatment composition can be brushed, rolled, swabbed or otherwiseapplied on the surfaces utilizing a suitable tool, instrument orapplication device. This may be done manually, such as with a manualmop, brush, or roller, or with a mechanized or automated applicator.

The treatment fluid may also be applied to the surfaces by swirling orsplashing of the treatment composition onto the surfaces of theapparatuses. In such cases, such as with a tank or storage vessel, thetank or vessel may be filled or partially filled with the treatmentcomposition, and the treatment composition is splashed or swirled ontothe surfaces of the apparatus. This may be done manually or withmechanized or automated equipment. In some cases, the apparatus itself,such as a mixing tank with an agitator, may have such equipment tofacilitate such splashing or swirling. In other applications, this maybe provided solely for the treatment method. The apparatuses may also besubmerged in the treatment composition.

In many instances, the surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with thecomposition merely by flowing the treatment composition through theapparatus or system of apparatuses, as with the treatment of thepipelines previously described. This may utilize the various componentsof the apparatus or system, as they would normally be used in theprocesses for which they are configured. In certain cases, a combinationof the various application methods may be used, such as where flowing ofthe treatment composition is not possible or is only possible with onlysome or portions of the apparatuses or systems.

The amount of treatment composition used for the apparatuses may be thatto provide a selected thickness of the treatment composition on thesurfaces, such as those thicknesses described with respect to thepipelines. The applied treatment composition is allowed to reside uponthe surfaces of the apparatus for a period of time after it is applied.The residence time that the treatment composition is allowed to resideon the apparatus surfaces after its application may range from 10minutes or more. The residence time may vary depending upon the cleaningjob to be performed. In many instances, the residence time may rangefrom 10 minutes to several days, more particularly from 1 hr to 48 hrs,and still more particularly from 3 hrs to 24 hours. In particularembodiments, the treatment composition is allowed to reside on the wallsof the pipeline from at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 10min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min, 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4 hrs, 5 hrs, 6hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11 hrs, 12 hrs, 13 hrs, 14 hrs, 15hrs, 16 hrs, 17 hrs, 18 hrs, 19 hrs, 20 hrs, 21 hrs, 22 hrs, 23 hrs, 24hrs, 25 hrs, 26 hrs, 27 hrs, 28 hrs, 29 hrs, 30 hrs, 31 hrs, 32 hrs, 33hrs, 34 hrs, 35 hrs, 36 hrs, 37 hrs, 38 hrs, 39 hrs, 40 hrs, 41 hrs, 42hrs, 43 hrs, 44 hrs, 45 hrs, 46 hrs, 47 hrs, and 48 hrs.

The treatment composition incorporating the inorganic nanoparticleshelps to penetrate deposits on the surfaces of the various apparatusesby Brownian-motion, diffusion-driven mechanism. The colloidal silicadispersion may be ionic to facilitate adherence to the apparatus wallsand penetration of deposits. When such charged nanoparticles of theionic dispersion are used in apparatuses that are provided with cathodiccorrosion protection, they are attracted to the surfaces of suchapparatuses. This, as well as the Brownian-motion, causes thenanoparticle materials to penetrate the deposits on the surfaces of theapparatus to facilitate loosening and breaking up of the deposits thatare formed thereon.

After the desired residence time is reached, the treatment compositionand those now loosened and broken materials adhering to the surfaces ofthe apparatus are removed. This can be through mechanical means, such asscrubbing, scraping, etc. Such mechanical means may be manual ormechanized.

A further fluid that may be used as a flushing fluid that does notcontain the colloidal particle dispersion may also be used for removingthe treatment composition and loosened and broken surface deposits. Theflushing fluid may be applied to the surfaces, as with the treatmentcomposition, by spraying, filling, brushing, swabbing, splashing,swirling, submerging and flowing it over the surfaces of the apparatus.In particular applications, where the apparatus is configured with aninterior for storing or conducting fluids, the flushing liquid may beintroduced into the interior through an inlet, with the flushing fluidforcing or carrying the treatment composition and loosened depositsthough an outlet or opening that communicates with the interior of theapparatus.

The flushing fluid may be a liquid, gas, or a combination of liquid andgas. Liquids may include water, aqueous liquids, hydrocarbon liquids,such as petroleum liquids, etc., and combinations of these. Gases mayinclude air, steam, nitrogen gas, hydrocarbon gas, natural gas, etc.,and mixtures of such gases. The liquids and/or gases may be inert ornon-reactive with the materials of the apparatus and the fluids ormaterials with which the apparatuses are used so they do not interferewith their use. In some cases, the process fluids normally used with theapparatus may be used as the flushing fluid.

The treatment and deposit removal operation may be conducted one or moretimes so that the desired level of cleaning and deposits removed isachieved. A combination of both the mechanical and fluid flush removalmethods of the treatment composition and surface deposits can be used inmany instances.

As can be seen, various apparatuses that are subject to surface depositsfrom contact with fluids can treated and cleaned with the treatmentcomposition in much the same way as the pipelines, as they have beenpreviously described. This is a great advantage in commercial andindustrial plants and systems where it is often difficult to clean thevarious processing equipment. The treatment of these devices andapparatuses with the treatment composition is much simpler, faster, moreeffective and efficient than those conventional cleaning methods usedfor cleaning process equipment that is subject to the formation ofsurface deposits. This may increase the life of the equipment and reducethe number of cleaning operations and/or increase the time necessarybetween cleaning operations.

While the invention has been shown in some of its forms, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but issusceptible to various changes and modifications without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that theappended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with thescope of the invention.

The following examples serve to further illustrate various embodimentsand applications.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A cleaning treatment was performed on an existing 84-mile-long, 36-inchdiameter dry gas line segment. This line was transferring 800 MMCF ofdry gas per day. The treatment composition was comprised of a colloidalparticle dispersion having silica nanoparticles with an average particlesize of from 500 nm or less, a glycol, and glutaraldehyde. The pipelinewas cleaned at night because of lower gas demands than during daylighthours. During the treatment operation, valves that were feedingcustomers from the pipeline were closed. As the pig and treatmentcomposition travelled down the pipeline, these valves were opened afterpassage of the pig downstream.

Five different injection points for introducing the treatmentcomposition were used along the length of the pipeline, each injectionpoint being located approximately 15 to 20 miles apart. Treatmentcomposition pill was sized to provide an approximately 3 mils coverageof the treatment composition on the walls of the pipe. The firstinjection of treatment composition was performed approximately 1 hourprior to the pig launch. The remaining injections followed after thefirst injection, one hour prior to the arrival of the pig at theinjection point.

The pig was a steel mandrel pig with discs and brushes that was speedcontrolled due to the high velocity of the gas to provide propercleaning. The project called for a “flush and brush” application,wherein the pig was used to both apply or spread the treatmentcomposition while also removing materials as the pig was passed throughthe pipeline. This process is effective but may not be as effective as a“soak and brush” application, wherein the treatment is allowed to resideon the walls of the pipeline for a period of time before removal.

The procedure was repeated five additional times. The same pigconfiguration was used on each run. The treatments were successful inremoving 16,000 pounds of solids during the cleaning operation inaddition to the removed treatment composition. The treatments alsoreduced the dew point to a point less than that measured prior to thecleaning run.

Example 2

A cleaning treatment was performed on a 46-mile-long, 30-inch diameterdry gas line segment. This line was transferring 130 MMCF of dry gas perday. There were no customer gas feeds on the pipeline so that thetreatment was carried out during daylight hours and without closing anycustomer feed valves. The need for a speed control pig was also notnecessary for the cleaning project.

The cleaning procedure for the project was a “soak and brush”application. Two injection points were used on the pipeline. The firstinjection point was located just downstream from the pig launcher. Thesecond was located approximately halfway between the pig launcher andthe pig receiver. The treatment composition pill size was configured toprovide approximately 5 mils of coverage per run. The treatmentcomposition was comprised of a colloidal particle dispersion havingsilica nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm orless, a glycol, and glutaraldehyde. The treatment composition wasinjected approximately one hour prior to the pig launch. A bullet-nose,poly-foam, channel pig was used to spread the treatment compositionalong the interior surfaces of the pipeline. The second injection oftreatment composition was made one hour prior to the arrival of the pigat the injection point. The treatment composition spread on the interiorsurfaces of the pipeline was allowed to reside overnight.

The next day, a mandrel style, disc and brush pig was then launched inthe pipeline to remove the chemical and debris from the pipeline. Thetreatment composition application/removal process was repeated fouradditional times. After it was determined that the line was cleaned,approximately 20,000 pounds of solids was removed from the pipeline inaddition to the removed treatment composition.

Example 3

A 24-inch natural gas pipeline 49 miles in length was tested to see theeffectiveness of the treatment methods. The pipeline had an operatingpressure of 750 psi, with an ambient temperature of 80° F., and wastransferring 200 MMCF of dry gas per day. The pipeline was initiallycleaned in a pigging operation using a steel mandrel pig with brusheswithout the use of any treatment composition. The cleaning operationresulted in no more than 5 lbs of any solids being removed from thepipeline.

The same pipeline was treated with a continuous treatment operationusing a treatment composition that was comprised of a colloidal particledispersion having positively charged silica nanoparticles with anaverage particle size of from 500 nm or less, a glycol, andglutaraldehyde. Five injection points were used, each spacedapproximately 10 miles apart. The treatment composition was introducedat each injection point at a flow rate of 10 gals/day as an atomizedspray. The continuous injection was carried out over a period of 30days.

The continuous treatment operation was followed by a batch treatmentoperation at each injection point wherein 400 gallons of treatmentcomposition was introduced into the pipeline.

A steel mandrel pig with brushes was then passed through the pipeline.Approximately 14,700 lbs of solids were removed from the pipeline inaddition to the removed treatment composition.

Example 4

A continuous treatment operation was performed upstream of a compressorstation on a 24-inch natural gas pipeline transporting 200 MMCF of drygas per day. Before the treatment, the compressor station wasexperiencing significant clogging of the witch-hat filter located in thepipeline every 2 to 3 days. This was also resulting in at least two ofthe eight valves of the compressor station becoming fouled each week.

The treatment composition was injected at rate of 10 gals/day as anatomized spray. The treatment composition comprised a colloidal particledispersion having positively charged silica nanoparticles with anaverage particle size of from 500 nm or less, a glycol, andglutaraldehyde. The continuous treatment operation was being performedfor approximately 6 weeks. During that time the filters remained cleanwith no clogging and there was no fouling of the valves. Once thecontinuous treatment operation was stopped, within two weeks the filtersbegan to clog and 4 out of the 8 valves became significantly fouled sothat they had to be replaced.

I claim:
 1. A method of treating an apparatus to remove surface depositstherefrom, the method comprising: selecting a colloidal particledispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle sizeof from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion thatfacilitate penetration of solid deposits on surfaces of an apparatusthat is subject to surface deposits from contact with fluids; contactingthe surfaces of the apparatus with a treatment composition comprisingthe colloidal particle dispersion; allowing the composition to act uponthe materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus to loosen andbreakup the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus; andremoving the loosened and broken materials from the surfaces of theapparatus.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the apparatus is at leastone of a man-made body, a man-made structure, a tank, a storage tank, avessel, a storage vessel, a mixing vessel, a container, a valve, a pipe,a drum, an aquatic vessel, a reactor, a combustor, a refrigeration unit,a cooling unit, a heat exchanger, a boiler, a radiator, a separator, anevaporator, a pump, a compressor, a tower, a column, a cooling tower, afilter, a filtration unit, a slug catcher, a Joule Thomson (JT) system,a cracking unit, a pyrolysis unit, a refining unit, a coalescer, adehydrator, an amine unit, an amine treatment system, a chemicalprocessing system, a food processing system, a gas processing system, apetroleum processing system, a biomatter processing system, and a waterprocessing system.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the inorganicparticles are silica nanoparticles.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein:the silica nanoparticles are functionalized with hydrophilic monomersand/or a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein: inorganic nanoparticles have an average particlesize of from 300 nm or less.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: theinorganic nanoparticles have an average particle size of from 0.1 nm to300 nm.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the surfaces of the apparatusare contacted with the composition by at least one of spraying, filling,brushing, rolling, swabbing, splashing, swirling, and flowing.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the composition is allowed to reside uponthe surfaces of the apparatus for 10 minutes or more.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the treatment composition has a pH of from 6 to
 7. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein: the removed materials comprise at leastone of corrosion byproducts, amine degradation products, scale, mineraldeposits, sand, silica, hydrocarbons, paraffins, asphaltenes, chemicalresidue, metal oxides, iron oxides, solids, biofilm, reaction products,coke, and water.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: the inorganicnanoparticles are present in the treatment composition in an amount offrom 0.001 wt. % to 60 wt. % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein: the inorganicnanoparticles are present in the treatment composition in an amount offrom 0.01 wt. % to 10 wt. % inorganic nanoparticles by total weight ofthe treatment composition.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: applying a corrosion inhibitor to the surfaces of theapparatus after the composition and materials adhering to the surfacesof the apparatus are removed.
 15. A method of treating an apparatus toremove surface deposits therefrom, the method comprising: selecting acolloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with anaverage particle size of from 300 nm or less that exhibit properties ofBrownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits onsurfaces of an apparatus that is subject to surface deposits fromcontact with fluids, the apparatus comprising at least one of a man-madebody, a man-made structure, a tank, a storage tank, a mixing vessel, avessel, a storage vessel, a valve, a pipe, a container, a drum, anaquatic vessel, a reactor, a combustor, a refrigeration unit, a coolingunit, a heat exchanger, a boiler, a radiator, a separator unit, anevaporator, a pump, a compressor, a tower, a column, a cooling tower, afilter, a filtration unit, a slug catcher, a Joule Thomson (JT) system,a cracking unit, a pyrolysis unit, a refining unit, a coalescer, adehydrator, an amine unit, an amine system, a chemical processingsystem, a food processing system, a gas processing system, a petroleumprocessing system, a biomatter processing system, and a water processingsystem; contacting the surfaces of the apparatus with a treatmentcomposition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion; allowing thecomposition to reside upon the surfaces of the apparatus for 10 minutesor more to act upon the materials adhering to the surfaces of theapparatus to loosen and breakup the materials adhering to the surfacesof the apparatus; and removing the loosened and broken materials fromthe surfaces of the apparatus, the removed materials comprising at leastone of corrosion byproducts, amine degradation products, scale, mineraldeposits, sand, silica, hydrocarbons, paraffins, asphaltenes, chemicalresidue, metal oxides, iron oxides, solids, biofilm, reaction products,coke, and water.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the inorganicparticles are silica nanoparticles.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein:the silica nanoparticles are functionalized with hydrophilic monomersand/or a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
 18. The methodof claim 15, wherein: the inorganic nanoparticles have an averageparticle size of from 0.1 nm to 300 nm.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein: the surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with thecomposition by at least one of spraying, filling, brushing, rolling,swabbing, splashing, swirling, and flowing.
 20. The method of claim 1,wherein: the method includes at least one of A-E, wherein: A is thetreatment composition has a pH of from 6 to 7; B is the inorganicnanoparticles are present in the treatment composition in an amount offrom 0.001 wt. % to 60 wt. % by total weight of the treatmentcomposition; C is the inorganic nanoparticles are present in thetreatment composition in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 10 wt. %inorganic nanoparticles by total weight of the treatment composition; Dis applying a corrosion inhibitor to the surfaces of the apparatus afterthe composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatusare removed; and E is the treatment composition further comprises atleast one of a surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, an ionicsurfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionicsurfactant, a drying agent, a glycol, triethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, ethylene glycol, glutaraldehyde, a bacteria-reducing agent, abiocide, a pH adjuster, water, an alcohol, a solvent, a dispersant, anon-terpene oil-based moiety, a terpene, a terpenoid, and limonine.